Friday, August 23, 2013

DeJesus traded to Tampa Bay

USA Today Sports Images

The David DeJesus Era in Washington lasted all of four days. And never even made it to Washington.

The Nationals traded DeJesus to the Rays today for a player-to-be-named or cash considerations, acquiring and then moving the veteran outfielder in a manner that only a Wall Street day trader could truly appreciate.

Monday's acquisition of DeJesus in a waiver-claim trade with the Cubs for a player-to-be-named seemed curious from the Nationals' perspective. Though the 33-year-old offered a solid reputation as a professional hitter and clubhouse leader, there wasn't much need for another left-handed outfielder on the Nationals roster, a point manager Davey Johnson made as soon as the original deal was announced.

The Nationals, though, immediately placed DeJesus back on waivers, suggesting they wanted to see if another club might be interested enough in him to offer something in return.

The Rays, who do need a left-handed-hitting outfielder, put in a claim on DeJesus and thus had until 1 p.m. today to try to work out a deal with the Nationals, who could have pulled him back and retained him for the rest of the season. In the end, general manager Mike Rizzo felt the player he'll ultimately receive from Tampa Bay was more valuable.

Thus ends DeJesus' brief tenure as a National. He never came to Washington, only transferring from the home clubhouse to the visitors clubhouse at Wrigley Field on Monday, then spending four days in a Nationals uniform.

DeJesus appeared in three games and received four plate appearances. He went 0-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt.

He now heads to Tampa, becoming a mere footnote in Nationals franchise lore.

I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of the story - whenever that may be. What team was Rizzo trying to block with the claim? Did he see it as only speculative and a way to flip a player? Is there more of this (and Suzuki) to come in the next several weeks? Stay tuned.

I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of the story - whenever that may be. What team was Rizzo trying to block with the claim? Did he see it as only speculative and a way to flip a player? Is there more of this (and Suzuki) to come in the next several weeks? Stay tuned.

This appears to have been a no-brainer for Rizzo. He had nothing to lose, apparently knowing, beforehand, he could hand off De Jesus to the Rays. The Rays now decide if they want to give Mike one of the guys he listed as an acceptable PTBNL, or whether they want to eat the cash owed to De Jesus.

Either way, Mike and the Nats do not lose a thing, and may gain a prospect from one of the best minor league systems in the business, on their terms.

Those who thought Rizzo was out of his mind for the De Jesus caper may wish to reconsider that assessment.

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About the Author

Mark Zuckerman has covered the Nationals since the franchise arrived in D.C. He's been a member of the Baseball Writers' Association of America since 2001 and is a Hall of Fame voter. Email mzuckerman@comcastsportsnet.com.